Kaze no Kuni
Kaze no Kuni; The Country of Wind
- Also See Five Great Shinobi Countries
Kaze no Kuni, or as it is referred to by many whom are not from it, 'The Country of Wind', is one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, and has traditionally been seen by people of the world as a chaotic and beautiful place. It is considered one of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, because it holds both a normal military (primarily roaming 'rangers' whom work for the Daimyo) but also it's own Hidden Village, Sunagakure no Sato, the Village Hidden in the Sands. It is a huge country and thereby somewhat diverse, like many of the Five Great Shinobi Countries, though most nations and people like to forget this, and prefer to think of Sunagakure as all one huge desert.
Because of the size of the nation and it's complexity there for, each important subject will be discussed here.
Politics
The politics of Kaze no Kuni can be broken into two categories. The first is the role of the military, which is what is known by most ninja with the leader of the organization being the Kazekage. The second is the government of the entire country, lead by the Daimyo of the Country of Wind. Further responsibilities are listed below.
- Daimyo - The leader of the entire Country of Wind. Responsibilities include negotiations with other countries, passing of legislature and addressing the people of the country. They are the head of the government as a whole. This position is currently held by Takashuri Keito.
- Kazekage - The military leader of the country. They are the one in charge of all ninja in the country and are called to the front of the government in times of war. Currently, the title of Kazekage is held by Ma'at Akilah.
Economy
Ninja: As home to the Village Hidden the Sand, shinobi play an important role in the economy and finances of Kaze no Kuni. Providing services both within and outside the country, the money earned through missions play a major role in supporting the economy.
Glass: The sands of Kaze no Kuni provide ample raw material that can be refined into some of the highest quality glass products seen throughout the world. From artistic trinkets to necessary building material, Kaze no Kuni glass is one the countries main exports. Advancements in railway travel, and sea navigation have recently made it possible to ship larger quantities to areas once out of reach.
Gold: Kaze no Kuni is also home to various gold mines, where the raw ore is extracted primarily for commercial reasons.
Medicinal Herbs: While the supplies are limited due to the arid environment of the Wind Country, the green houses of Sunagakure and the gardens of Soma do produce a variety of herbs and other vegetations for very specific purposes. These plants, while used for medicinal purposes, also provide the necessary ingredients for the toxins and poisons Suna ninja are known for.
Naval: With the formation of the port city Arrakis along the cost of Kaze no Kuni, the country has taken an interest in oceanic resources as a way of building finances. This includes naval trade and travel to the countries of Fang and Fire, fishing, off-shore mining, and tourism.
Military
The military within the Country of Wind is primarily composed of ninja from Sunagakure no Sato, under control of the Kazekage. Outside of the Sunagakure shinobi, the country also has a normal military under direction of the Daimyo. This military is primarily composed of Ranger like guards, who specialize in lite infantry, and special operations. With Takashuri Keito holding both the position of Kazekage and Daimyo, the Rangers primarily serve as a safety measure to protect the political capital of the country, Arrakis.
Other then organized military, various nomadic clans exist outside of the Kazekage/Daimyo's control. The clans make the vast deserts of Kaze no Kuni dangerous for outsiders and natives alike, answering to no one but themselves. A show of force, or those with a large enough pocket, have sometimes been able to earn the service of these nomads.
Architecture
The vast geography of Kaze no Kuni give rise to various architecture depending on the location. For example, Sunagakure, located in the heart of the Country of Wind, is buffeted by gusts of wind and billowing sand. The structures are built of sturdy sandstone to endure the harsh, dry climate and further conceal the village from notice. However, the city or Arrakis, built along the coast and far from possible hostiles promotes architecture for domestic living and sweeping views of the ocean. Soma, in turn, is known for its beautiful architecture.
Terrain
Due to the vast expanse of Kaze no Kuni, the terrain often varies drastically depending on a person's location. While many view The Country of Wind as nothing but windswept deserts, the land actually supports high biodiversity. Areas to the north are influenced by the climates of Rain, Coal, and Fang, and receive enough rain to support grasslands, shrubbery, and and in some cases even trees.
Areas close to Earth can be rocky and mountainous, and the higher elevation provides relief from the heat that most other areas of the country are subject to. Along the coast, and the Arrakis Peninsula, warm, oceanic winds bring moisture, allowing for tropical, or sub-desert conditions.
It is only in the heart of the country do the sands and wind reign supreme, creating the dry, hostile deserts that Kaze no Kuni is most known for. With little rainfall and high heat, only the sturdiest survive here, providing natural training grounds for shinobi and nomads alike.
Culture
Due to the largeness of the country, and the various historical events that impacted the major cities creations and continued existence, Kaze no Kuni boasts a wide diversity of cultures.
The city of Soma, and the surrounding area is heavily influenced by the nomadic clans that came together to form the first permanent settlement of the country. Throughout the centuries, the city has held onto many of these traditions that predate the founding of Sunagakure. Influences from the nearby nations may also be present, due to Soma's close proximity to the boarder.
Sunagakure, on the other hand, was heavily shaped by the Shodaime and the ninja traditions handed down by the Rikudou Sennin. As the center of the military world, and isolated in the heart of Kaze no Kuni, many of these traditions and values still hold true for shinobi and civilian alike.
Arrakis, the newest city in the Country of Wind, is a conglomeration of these two cities. Located far to the south along the coast, it's culture is built by those who wished distance and protection from the other shinobi nations. The tropical climate, with abundant vegetation and wildlife also make it the culinary capital of the city, alongside it's importance in the political world.
Outside of the established cities, nomadic clans still wander the western deserts of Kaze no Kuni. They give rise to small, isolated villages, or impermanent settlements that have their own self contained culture with little to no influence from the outside world. Varied and strange, these cultures are seldom documented except by those who wish to leave the harsh, wandering lifestyle.
Weather
Due to the county's size, the weather changes from location to location. Cities to the north experience more temperate climates, while the heart of Kaze no Kuni is dominated by arid, windy deserts. In these deserts, air temperature quickly reach blazing degrees during the daytime, though it quickly dissipates once the sun goes down. While rain is infrequent for most parts of Kaze no Kuni, desert storms are often fierce and unpredictable, rising without notice and are capable of massive damage. The winds that give the country it's name are also often vivious, raising deadly sandstorms in their wake. Along the coast, people experience a more tolerable heat, cooled by the ocean winds and moister air.
Soma, Capital of Kaze no Kuni
Soma is truly a city of artistic wonders – the entire city seems like a vast sculpture, rife with smooth flowing lines and curves. But is also a place where you can get your throat cut in a split-second, just by making a wrong turn. Soma is the home of the largest known criminal empire on the continent. It has no official name, but is known to be run by a leader called the Patchwork King. In fact the most dangerous thing you could do in the city would be to try to be a criminal without the Patchwork King's consent – with the second-most-dangerous being to stick your nose into the King's business. For this reason the average citizen is mostly quite safe from any crime but the organized kind. Thus the city of Soma, with its most remarkable spires, bazaars, and architecture, is a city with two faces, like day and night. Be careful after dark.
Among its unofficial names are The Arabian Nightmare, the Fish Market, and The City-In-Twilight. While the city is truly one of wonders - such works of artisanry and chakra can rarely be elsewhere found - it is also a city of dangers. The legitimate ruler of the city - something like the prince of a city-state - has the traditional title of The Diamond In The Rough, and rarely goes by an actual name. However, the Diamond is only half the power in the city, at best. Soma is the center of the world's largest criminal enterprise, which is run by a mysterious figure known as the Patchwork King. Records suggest that the King has been operating for at least a hundred years, leading many to theorize that the title is inherited - but very little is known for sure. All that can be said for certain is that the Patchwork King's empire extends far beyond the boundaries of Kaze no Kuni, and that he keeps a very low profile. Crime rates in the inner, richer parts of the city tend to be fairly low - most of the crime going on there is white-collar and thus unreported. More violent crimes are reserved for the poorer parts of town, and tend to be the result of someone sticking their nose where it isn't wanted. The city is mostly urban, with no parks to speak of, but bath-houses and private gardens are ubiquitous in the richer districts.